This story touched my heart today. Take the time to view this video. You won’t regret it. It’s proof that we can find joy in this life no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. God is always with us.

http://www.oprah.com/media/20081001_tows_99balloons#

Evan is 3 1/2 years old. With that comes lots of imaginary play. I get so much joy out of watching him. Whether he’s sitting quietly in his play room with his trucks or “flying” around the house in his cape, his little mind is always at work. Lately, he says he’s a pirate. He insists on wearing a white shortsleeved t-shirt, which is what he prefers, or at least having his longsleeves pushed up as high as they can possibly on go on his tiny little arms. He gets quite upset having to wear longsleeves now that it’s colder outside. “Moooom! I can’t be a pirate?” Yes, there’s tears and all sometimes. And then there’s the boots. He wears a pair of 80’s moon snow boots ALL DAY. He takes them off for naps and bedtime. He will carefully set them next to his bed when it’s sleep time so the second his little feet wake up they can be plunged into these boots.

I’ve been trying to rack my brain to figure out where he is getting this idea that pirates always wear a white shortsleeved t-shirt. Then it hit me. Swiss Family Robinson. He was watching a little bit of it and in the beginning when their ship wrecks the men are all wearing shirts with the sleeves rolled up. He asked me if they were pirates and I said yes. I figured it was a nice depiction of a pirate, the Swiss Family Robinson, instead of the toothless, long haired booty snatchers we all think of when we think of pirates.

Now, Evan loves being a pirate and also a super hero. He knows exactly what he wants to wear for his “get-up” too. He will bring me the loot and ask me to help him put it on several times a day. When it’s time for lunch and we have to take off his cape so it won’t get snagged in the chair…”But Moooooom! I can’t be a pirate?” I’ve used this pirate obsession to my advantage. If he doesn’t want to try what I’ve made for dinner. “Evan, pirates LOVE potatoes.” “Evan, pirates LOVE broccoli.” So far it’s worked and he’s tried more things all in the name of being a “pirate” than he did before when he was just plain ol’ Evan.

So here he is in all of his glory. I wouldn’t trade him for all the pirate’s booty in the world.

Notice the one mitten in this one.

A “life sized” motorcycle helmet courtesy of Uncle Blane.

Over the past several years I have become a real lover of loose leaf black tea. My best friend introduced me to a little tea lounge in our area and I’ve been hooked ever since. Not only did my friend introduce me to “the stuff” but she also has shown me another side of enjoying tea. A tea PARTY. Yes, an old fashioned, getting together with girlfriends over goodies, chatting it up, tea sippin’ party! Her parties are just lovely. She goes “all out” and you leave her parties feeling very special and satisified.

Being the sweet friend that she is, she has given me many ideas for tea gatherings. She’s the friend that gets excited when I use one of her ideas and even helps me think of other nice things to do at my parties. She’s a graceful woman who loves to fellowship with others and have a time of opening her home and sharing what’s going on in our lives over a hot cup of tea in her fine china tea cup.

This friend of mine has made me realize that having friends over for tea is really more than just something to do. It’s a time of connecting with those you care about; opening your home and inviting friends in to share tidbits of life in an intimate setting. I get so excited when I’m invited to her house for a tea because I know I will be blessed and ultimately she will too.

So with my new passion as a tea lover and now a tea party lover, I hope to host more tea parties at my house and invite different friends in to reconnect and to share a time of relaxation over a piping hot cup of loose leaf tea and a few tea “eats” as well. I’ve started a china collection and I hope to also add to that as the years go by. Spreading a tea table with the best I have to offer makes me feel good. Gently bringing out the fine china for tea time with my friends is something I know I am going to treasure with each tea party I have. With these tea parties I will host over time, I hope my friends will leave full and satisifed. Not only in their bellies but in their spirits too. I have my lovely friend, Rachel, to thank for making me a true tea lover in more ways than one!

My son is a part of a homeschool co-op group with two other families in our church. Even though we haven’t “officially” started homeschooling Evan yet we are participating in this group. I don’t have a set curriculum per say I use for Evan as of yet but I still consider us “home schooler’s.” I know I am going to home school him once he starts kindergarten. We do a lot of “schooling” in our home just in the simple things we do on a daily basis. Whether it be read a book about a particular subject Evan is asking about, doing a handy craft for an upcoming holiday or season or cooking together in the kitchen. So…I guess we are homeschooling after all! :)

Fridays is our co-op day. We meet and learn about one of three things; nature, music or art. Today was nature. One of the families we are in co-op with has been blessed with beautiful property. It’s a child’s paradise. Lots of woods, a pond to romp in, a bridge crossing a stream, the sounds of various birds. Yeah, it’s awesome.

Today we went on a nature scavanger hunt. We learned to identify lots of different kinds of tree leaves in the process. I am learning just as much as Evan. We discovered the difference between birch, maple, oak, walnut, spruce, cypress, white walnut, black and yellow birch leaves and bark. It was amazing! Did you know there are over 20 various types of maple trees? I didn’t. And did you also know that wintergreen gum used to be made from black birch trees back in the day? If you pick the bark off deep enough from a black birch tree you can smell the wintergreen I’m told. Neat!

We made a sun catcher from the leaves we collected today and it’s gracing my kitchen window. We also have a nature collage to put together tomorrow from our findings of the day.

Learning alongside my son and seeing him explore and “get” something for the first time is a treasure. And all the little tidbits I’m learning along the way is a bonus too. I’m excited to see what we learn next!

I have had a very busy day today. I’ve been working around the house organizing various things and getting lots of little tasks done. Our laundry was piling up so that had to be done. Tanner’s clothes needed sorted through and his closet weeded of some stuff he’s already grown out of (crazy.) Evan was playing around me while I did these little things. He was “helping” me a lot too. He’s a great lil’ helper. I was on my feet for the entire afternoon. When I finally sat down for dinner, my feet, legs and back were screaming. Over dinner I mentioned to my husband how much my feet and legs were hurting and how I couldn’t wait to take a hot bath. Evan was in our presence when I told Dan this.

So the evening continues and Evan takes a break from playing to go potty. He needed help buttoning his pants back up so he came to me for help. As I’m bending down to help him, he puts both of his hands on my shoulders, closes his eyes and this is what he said, “Jesus, Mommy’s back, legs, neck. Amen!” With tears in my eyes I thanked him after hugging him and he said, “You’re welcome, Mom.”

I cannot begin to tell you what my little man’s prayer did for me tonight. To know firsthand that the foundation we are laying for our son is actively taking root in his heart is hard to describe. I often lay my hands on Evan and pray for him if he’s sick or gets hurt. For awhile now when he’s not feeling well or gets hurt he’ll ask me to pray for him. He knows where our help comes from. And as a parent, that makes my heart sing…

As a mother, I have learned how to seriously multitask. I’m convincing myself that moms have rubber arms. It’s like there’s something that happens during pregnancy. Once the baby is born, you can juggle more things at one time than you thought humanly possible. Nurse while typing? A snap. Change a diaper while helping your little one put on his shirt? Easy. Twist your arm the opposite direction they were intended to twist to hand your child a snack in the car? Why not? Moms can do amazing things.

Today, I discovered one more thing that I can do while doing something else. Pumping while driving. Yes, it’s true. This is the first time I have ever tried this feat and I mastered it. I even did it with my seat belt on. Safety first, you know. ;) I was surprised at how empowered I felt. Here I was making food for my baby while operating a car. I almost wanted to beep the horn to the car next to me and shout, “Hey, look what I can do!” Somehow I think that would have been indecent. I was discreetly pumping with my hoodie over me. No worries. I used a red light to get myself back in order and set the pump aside. I glanced at the “liquid gold” I had just pumped and had to smile. Wow, I can do anything.

Autumn is my favorite season! The vibrant leaves, the hot tea’s, comfort meals, bonfires, roasting marshmallows, warm pj’s, hot baths, pumpkins, apple picking…I could go on. I only wish that fall lasted a bit longer than it does. It seems to come and go so quickly. This year we have been making every effort to fully enjoy the season before it passes. We’ve done a couple of foliage outings, apple picking, a pumpkin patch visit and a couple of bonfires. I enjoy sprinkling our house with candles and lighting them each evening and filling the house with sweet aromas like baking cookies. Soon, the snow will fly. But for now we’re enjoying the autumn season. It’s extra special this year because now we’ve got two adorable pumpkins in our family!

I hope you and your family are enjoying everything that this beautiful season has to offer!

I’m feeling especially nostalgic today. Maybe it’s because my 30th birthday is just around the corner. I can’t help but reflect on the last 30 years of my life and jot some things down that keep coming to mind of who I was, I am and who I will become as the years progress…

I had a good childhood. Not perfect, but good.

I have a wonderful mom who did her very best and that’s all she could do.

Many fond memories as a kid.

Marrying my best friend has been an incredibe journey and continues to be. I love him more every day.

Having children has changed me deeply and the way I think and do.

I’ve become a huge lover of black tea.

I could read a good book all day.

A pure heart.

Homeschooling is part of my purpose.

Spending quality time with my friends means more to me as the years go by.

Seeing the good in others and treating them as such is a choice.

Letting God be my justifier.

Thankful for the small things.

It wouldn’t hurt so much if I didn’t care so much.

My ways are not everyone else’s and vice versa. That’s okay.

Exhibiting faith.

Believing in the miraculous.

Standing tall in the midst of a storm.

Loving my children so much my heart hurts.

Having a life partner who I’m convinced was made just for me.

I have a quiet side.

Think for yourself.

The path less traveled.

Show understanding and be slow to anger.

The Whistling Kettle makes me happy, as does chocolate chip cookies.

Sincerity is a treasure.

Being a mom is a high calling and a blessed one.

My family is my heart.

More of the same is not always a good thing.

True friends are priceless.

Forgiveness is freeing.

Self control is a God thing.

Peaceful sleep means a peaceful mind.

Think on things that are lovely and worthy of thought.

Turn the other cheek.

Hugs are good.

A blessed wife and mother.

Thirty. I’m happy. I’m hungry. Hungry for what lies ahead and happy with the path I’m leaving.

Who’s report will you believe? I’ll believe the report of the Lord no matter what something says on paper. My God is able to do anything and He has. I’m praising Him today for a good report and His loving kindness. It’s better than life!

Our breakfast scripture reading today was this:

“Behold, how good and plesant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133

The part of this portion of scripture that I keep thinking about today is how unity is like precious oil. Oil is one of those substances that doesn’t clean up too easily. It leaves a residue.

Our unity in the Body of Christ should be like oil. When there is unity amongst the brethen, hard times in the Body won’t wash away the oil. Unity’s residue lingers. Oil is a thick substance. Water doesn’t pass through it easily. We as members of the Body ought to have a thickness to our spirits where the watered down words of the foolish doesn’t wash away the residue of our unity.

Taking the feelings of others into consideration when we speak and act. Trying our best to see to it that our brothers and sisters in Christ are loved and feel wanted and belong. And not just a few, those we “click” with, but as many as we can. Looking differently at the God-given differences of those around us. Seeing these differences for the gifts, talents and abilities that they truly are, not ways to measure one another. Having the maturity to see that everyone is different in the Body and each person has their own purpose. Coming alongside one another and be an encouragement. Not seeing someone else’s gifts or talents as a threat.

The unity the scripture speaks of can come to pass if we let the Spirit be our guide and not our flesh. Putting our thoughts into the obedience of Christ daily and seeking first His kingdom. It’s a daily journey. It’s changing our habits of thinking and doing. Striving to do our very best on this earth with the little bit of time we do have.

When this type of unity is a reality…we’ll have life forevermore.